Due to the improved relations resulting from interaction among club members, between club members and the authorities, between members and other stakeholders, there was increased opportunity for working together to find solutions to problems facing the metal finishing industry.
5.11.1 Club Members
According to club members, interaction with each other prior to the establishment of the club had been minimal. Club activities resulted in greater interaction. The sharing of ideas and information, and assisting each other in implementing changes resulted in improved relations among companies.
Members have collaborated to work on common issues of concern such as sludge disposal.
Working together has also lead to the formation of an association for the metal finishing industry in the Durban Metropolitan Area (DMA).
Sludge Disposal
It has already been mentioned that at the time of this study, metal finishers in the DMA could not dispose of their sludge to the landfills in KwaZulu-Natal. This was because the sludge contained hazardous metals and chemicals and the province does not have a high hazard landfill site.
Companies then either transported sludge to suitable sites in Gauteng (a practice that is both costly and risky), or stored it on site. A suggestion was made during a meeting of the Bylaw Working Group to investigate stabilising the industry's sludge thus enabling disposal to a locallandfill. A proposal was then made by a local waste disposal company to undertake the investigation. The company was willing to fund the study and establish a treatment facility at their site if they received a commitment from the industry to dispose of their sludge at this site. This proposal was put to the industry in August 1999, and by February 2000, 22 companies signed a commitment. The disposal company then decided it needed to establish if the project would be profitable, and therefore requested information on volumes and characteristics of each metal finishing company's sludge. A student was then hired to collect this information. Club members expected to receive further feedback on the progress of the study, but the solution that they were assured of by June 2000 was not received. This led to alternative methods of sludge stabilisation being sought, such as the formation of bricks.
In June 2000, a manufacturing company made a second proposal to club members. The company proposed mixing metal hydroxide sludge with zeolite and clay to fire it in a rotary kiln furnace at 1000
Gc.
The final product would have been environmentally safe and could be disposed of easily at a landfill site. A trial run was conducted with waste from two club members' companies. The procedure reduces waste metal content down to 0.1 ppm and the product would be suitable for the manufacture of bricks and tiles. While the local authorities were enthusiastic about the project, the company was required to perform an Environmental Impact Assessment at its site before the project could be permitted. In September 2000, the club was informed that a scoping audit at a cost of R 25 000 would have to be carried out at the company to determine if the proj ect could be allowed.While companies awaited the results, many continued to store their sludge while some found ways to use it in cement and bricks. The situation had not been resolved as at November 2000.
The Metal Finishing Association
The club led to the formation of the Metal Finishing Association (MFA), which was initiated by a group of club members. The first official meeting of the MF A was held on 10 July 2000. The members adopted a constitution, and elected a committee. Three club members were elected to the
committee. The association has eighty-nine members consisting of electroplaters, powder coaters, and hot dip galvanisers. The purpose of the association was to deal with issues of mutual concern to the metal finishers like waste minimisation and waste treatment. The constitution emphasises environmental issues, and the association planned to establish new waste minimisation clubs. A metal finisher's club was formed in Pietermaritzburg (Pmb) consisting of eight members. A general club was also established in the Pmb region by Umgeni Water. New clubs were planned for the DurbanlPinetown area in 2001.
The W' A was included in the planning discussions of a hazardous waste disposal site in Durban. A club member was chosen to represent the W' A on the committee.
5.11.2 Chemical Supplier
Chemical suppliers are important to the metal finishing industry. Many companies relied on their chemical supplier for bath maintenance. The supplier common to most club members made an effort to assist companies in reducing waste generation and improving their operation.
Consequently, a representative of this company, who was an interested party in the club since its formation, was elected a club member by the companies. The companies valued the information and technical expertise given to them by this supplier.
5.11.3 Local Authority
When the club was formed, the metal finishing industry was facing the introduction of new bylaws by the Metro. As a result there was tension between the two parties. The relationship between club members and the Durban Metro improved since the club's formation. The Bylaws Working Group was instrumental in bringing about this improvement. The attitude of the Durban Metro towards club members also changed once they became aware of the efforts made by companies to reduce metal concentrations and overall environmental impact.
Bylaws Working Group
One of the reasons for targeting the metal finishing industry in Durban for promoting waste minimisation was the impending introduction of new effluent bylaws. These bylaws were met with objections from the industry. As a result, the Bylaw Working Group was established in December 1998. The purpose of the group was to discuss the objections and develop bylaws that were acceptable to all stakeholders. The metal finishing industry was represented by three club members. Other members were from the Durban Metro Waste Water Department, a chemical supplier, the Durban Chamber of Commerce, and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
The efforts of the working group resulted in the eflluent metal limits for industry discharging to the Umbilo Sewage Works being relaxed to the original limits. This followed a study that was conducted by a club member (also part of the working group) into the eflluent generated by metal fmishing companies in the area. The study showed that metal finishing companies were not responsible for the high concentrations of metals present at the treatment works.
5.12 PROMOTING WASTE MINIMISATION AND WASTE MINIMISATION